Great Dorset Steam Fair CANCELLED for 2023

Organisers say the decision's been made with 'sadness and disappointment'

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 3rd Oct 2022
Last updated 3rd Oct 2022

Next year's Great Dorset Steam Fair (GDSF) has been cancelled.

The organisers of the heritage event at Tarrant Hinton near Blandford say this year's show has been mired by significant and rising costs.

They say it would be 'financially challenging' for them to run the event next summer.

But they have reassured people that it will return on the August Bank Holiday weekend in 2024.

In a post on their social media page, GDSF say it's been an 'extremely difficult decision to make', especially after the 'fantastic and resounding success' of 2022's event.

They've said economic uncertainty is to blame:

"As a big show we have big costs, costs which have risen disproportionately this year and, crucially, are very difficult to forecast for next year in the current economic climate.

"The event industry as a whole is still feeling the harsh financial repercussions of the COVID-19 Pandemic, which together with the aftermath of Brexit and the war in Ukraine, has seen significant increases in staff, contractor, fuel, transport, material and equipment hire prices. The likelihood is that event costs will continue to rise in 2023, compounded by the emergence of the cost of living crisis which will undoubtedly affect consumer confidence and spending in the event industry next year."

The GDSF Directors say it would be 'financially challenging' to hold the Fair in 2023

They've also told supporters that they're keen to be back:

"It is not prudent or sensible to hold the show next year and in order to safeguard and preserve the future of the Great Dorset Steam Fair, we believe this to be the right decision to enable us to continue to run a high-quality event in 2024 and beyond.

"We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you all again between the 22nd to 26th of August 2024."

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